School Board Races
The upcoming special election attention will be focused on the Siuslaw School Board. Positions 1,3,5 and 7 are up for grabs. Position 1 is currently held by Brian Lacouture and is challenged by Devon Weinstein, position 3 held by Bob Sneddon is challenged by Tamara Cole, position 5 is held by Frank Armendariz and is challenged by Josh Haberly and Dianna Pimlott in the seventh seat will be opposed by Jason Wood. All of the candidates will speak on the May edition of Our Town on May 3rd and fourth on Coast Radio. The public will have an opportunity to submit questions through a portal on the Coast Radio Website at either kcst.com or kcfmradio.com beginning on Monday.
Earth Day
There are many events around the area tomorrow to celebrate earth day including some sponsored clean up. The Siuslaw High School alumni association will be gathering near Washburne State Park for a sprucing up of the Hobbit trail and Ponsler Wayside. There will also be a special presentation of the movie Youth V Gov at City Lights Cinemas at 3:40. Habitat for Humanity continues it Women Build event and all US National parks are inviting visitors for free.
Youth Suicide Rates Drop
The Oregon Health Authority is reporting that teen suicides have dropped 26% since 2018. In 2018 it was reported that 129 people in the group aged 24 and younger died by suicide. The number dropped to 95 in 2021 however rates of adult suicide has increased over the same time period. In 2021 the OHA reports that Oregon suicides were 889. For youth ages 5-24 suicide remains the second leading cause of death.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Down
For the first time in almost a year hospitalization rates in the state have dropped below 200 for COVID-19 related illnesses. The peak of hospitalizations was in September of 2021 where there were 1,178 individuals hospitalized. As of Tuesday there were 172 individuals in care.